History of India-III UNIT 3 THE POLITICAL SCENARIO II– RASHTRAKUTAS AND PALAS1 Structure 3.0 Objectives 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Rashtrakutas: Nomenclature and Origins 3.3 The Rashtrakuta Polity 3.4 Rashtrakuta Administration 3.5 The Palas 3.6 The Nature of Polity under the Palas 3.7 Kaivarta Rebellion 3.8 Summary 3.9 Key Words 3.10 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 3.11 Suggested Readings 3.0 OBJECTIVES In this Unit, we will discuss about the origin and emergence of the Rashtrakutas and the formation of Rashtrakuta and Pala empire. Later, we will also explore the organization and nature of Rashtrakuta polity. After studying the Unit, you will be able to learn about: major and minor kingdoms that were ruling over different territories of south India between 8th and 11th centuries; emergence of the Rashtrakutas as a dominant power in Deccan; the process of the formation of Rashtrakuta empire and contributions of different kings; the nature of early medieval polity and administration in the Deccan; the Palas and the nature of their polity; and Kaivarta rebellion. 3.1 INTRODUCTION India witnessed the emergence of three powerful kingdoms between c. 750 and 1000 CE: Palas, Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas. These kingdoms fought with each other to establish their hegemony. Historian Noboru Karashima treats the empire as a new type of state, i.e. feudal state showing both discontinuities and 1 44 This Unit has been taken from BHIC 132, Unit 10 and MHI 04, Block 2, Unit 5. continuities with states that had emerged in these areas from 3rd century CE The Political Scenario II– onwards. Rashtrakuta Empire dominated the Deccan for almost 200 years till the Rashtrakutas and Palas end of 10th century and also controlled territories in north and south India at various points of time. Amongst the three it lasted the longest. It was not only the most powerful polity of the time but also acted as a bridge between north and south India in economic as well as cultural matters. It also promoted and expanded north Indian traditions and policies in south India. Significantly, India touched new heights of stability and achievements in the field of polity, economy, culture, education and religion in this phase. Later in the Unit we will be discussing the Palas. Bengal had been part of the Maurya and Gupta empires. For long stretches of its early history Bengal is not known to have played an important role in the political history of India even after the decline of the Guptas. The first significant ruler of Bengal was Sasanka who ruled roughly between 606-637 CE. His death led to the coming to power of Gopala who founded the Pala dynasty. The Palas are also known for Kaivarta rebellion which took place under their rule and was responsible for considerably weakening the position of Palas. 3.2 THE RASHTRAKUTAS: NOMENCLATURE AND ORIGINS The word ‘Rashtrakuta’ means the chief of Rashtra (division or kingdom). It is possible that they were a class of provincial officers, as the designation appears in the inscriptions of many dynasties. We may say that the Rashtrakutas were high officials, either provincial chiefs or some kind of administrators. For example, a Rashtrakuta Govindaraja, son of Shivaraja acting as vijnapati (petitioner), is mentioned in the Naravana plates of Chalukya Vikramaditya II of Badami. Romila Thapar also opines that Dantidurga - founder of the main branch of the Rashtrakutas — was one of the subordinates of Chalukyas and a high official in the administration. Historians are still not clear about origin of Rashtrakutas and its branches. Following the tradition of devising Puranic pedigrees, the Rashtrakutas also claim in their inscriptions that they belong to the Satyaki branch of Yaduvamsha and the line of Tungas. Historian Nilakantha Shastri, based on the study of inscriptions, claims that the Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin, and their plates indicate that Kannada was their mother tongue despite the extensive use of Sanskrit. Also, the standard title Lattalura-puravareshvara (“the eminent lord of the city of Lattalura”) assumed by Rashtrakuta princes of both the main line and of the secondary branches indicates their original home. Lattalura has been identified with Latur in the Bidar district of Karnataka. In this way, we can say that Deccan was the original home of the Rashtrakutas, which generally means the whole region occupied by the Telugu speaking population as well as Maharashtra with certain parts of northern Karnataka (Kannada speaking). The Rashtrakuta dynasty is known for a long line of brave warriors and able administrators, which helped them in the formation of a vast empire. They fought continuously with the Pratiharas, Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi (in modern Andhra Pradesh), Cholas, Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai. The Pallavas 45 History of India-III were in decline and their successors — the Cholas — were emerging powerful. Weaknesses of these kingdoms became helpful in victories and the establishment of Rashtrakuta polity. There was no power in northern India strong enough to interfere with the affairs of the Deccan which provided an opportunity for the emergence of Rashtrakutas. Thapar argues that the geographical position of the Rashtrakutas, i.e. in the middle of the Indian subcontinent led to their involvement in wars and alliances with both the northern and, more frequently, the southern kings. It resulted in the expansion of their empire in all directions. Historian Karashima argues that one of the crucial factors for the formation of Rashtrakuta power might have been an environment within their territory favourable to the growth of agriculture. Thapar also explores favourable economic factors and mentions that the Rashtrakutas had the advantage of controlling a large part of the western seaboard and, therefore, trade with West Asia, particularly with the Arabs, provided the wealth to back their political ambitions. 3.3 THE RASHTRAKUTA POLITY There were several branches of the Rashtrakutas ruling in different parts of India in the early medieval period. The earliest known ruling family of the Rashtrakutas was founded by Mananka in Malkhed, having the Palidhvaja banner and the Garuda-lanchhana. Another Rashtrakuta family was ruling in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. The Antroli-Chharoli inscription bearing the Garuda seal dated 757 CE mentions four generations: Karka I, his son Dhruva, his son Govinda, and his son Karka II belonging to a collateral branch of the Malkhed line holding sway in the Lata country in Gujarat. Dantidurga was the founder of the imperial Rashtrakuta line. He seems to be the contemporary of Karka II. The exact relation of these kings to the Malkhed line cannot be decided with certainty, though it is not impossible that Karka I of the charter of 757 CE was identical with the grandfather of Dantidurga himself. The kingdom was founded by Dantidurga who fixed his capital at Manyakheta or Malkhed near modern Sholapur. Manyakheta branch of the Rashtrakutas soon became dominant by assimilating other branches in due time. We can prepare a dynastic chart of the imperial line of Rashtrakutas with their titles as follows: Danti-varman Indra I Govindaraja Kakka I Indra II 46 Dantidurga (Prithivivallabha, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, The Political Scenario II– Paramabhattaraka) Rashtrakutas and Palas Krishnaraja I (Shubhatunga, Akalavarsha, Rajadhiraja, Parameshvara) Govinda II (Prabhutavarsha and Vikramavaloka) Dhruva (Nirupama, Kali-Vallabha, Dharavarsha, Shrivallabha) Govinda III (Jagattunga, Kirti-Narayana, Janavallabha, Tribhuvanadhavala, Prabhutavarsha, Srivallabha) Amoghavarsha I (Sarva) (Nripatunga, Atishayadhavala, Maharaja-Skanda, Vira-Narayana) Krishna II (Akalavarsha and Shubhatunga) Indra III (Nityavarsha, Rattakandarpa, Kirti-Narayana, Rajamartanda) Amoghavarsha II Govinda IV (Suvarnavarsha, Prabhutavarsha, Chanakyachaturmukha, Nripati Trinetra, Vikranta Narayana) Amoghavarsha III Krishna III (Akalavarsha) Khottiga Karka II We now come to the main line of Rashtrakutas. Dantidurga, a strong and able ruler, was the real founder of a lasting empire. The earliest record of his reign – the Ellora inscription of 742 CE – mentions the titles prithivivallabha and khagavaloka (he whose glances are as keen as the edge of a sword) for him. Lata and Malava were in a disturbed condition after the Arab invasions and taking that 47 History of India-III advantage Dantidurga took control of the territories. Dantidurga also attacked Kanchi, the capital of the Pallavas, and struck up an alliance with Nandivarman Pallavamalla to whom he gave his daughter Reva in marriage. The war-like monarch Dantidurga captured the outlying territories of the extensive Chalukyan empire and then assaulted the heart of empire and easily defeated Kirtivarman. The Samangadh inscription of 754 CE records that Dantidurga overthrew the last Chalukya ruler of Badami called Kirtivarman II and assumed full imperial rank and described himself as: Prithivivallabha, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, and Paramabhattaraka. Kirtivarman continued to rule with diminished glory until the reign of Dantidurga. Dantidurga describes his territory as comprising of four lakhs of villages, which probably included his sway over a little more than one half of the Chalukyan Empire of Badami. Dantidurga died childless, which led to a dispute between Krishnaraja I — his uncle — and other family members who succeeded in seizing the throne for a while but whom Krishnaraja I overthrew easily in 756 CE because of his popularity. He had the titles Shubhatunga (high in prosperity) and Akalavarsha (constant rainer) mentioned in Bhandak Inscription of Krishnaraja I of 772 CE. The newly established Rashtrakuta kingdom expanded in all directions under him. He started with the the overthrow of the Chalukyas of Badami. The Bhandak plates of 772 CE show that the whole of Madhya Pradesh had come under his rule. In other inscriptions, he is said to have overcome Rahappa and thereby gained the Palidhvaja banner and the imperial title Rajadhiraja Parameshvara. Historian Sastri treats Rahappa as Kakka II of Lata which may be taken to mark the end of the first Lata branch of the Rashtrakutas.